Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Thus far we've been fortunate to receive some local help from our Tulsa friends. Our major contributor in Tulsa, Lindsay, has helped us out with accommodation, transport and food... Thank you Lindsay!In the background is Loren's cozy house, which she has kindly rented to us for a very affordable rate. Thank you Loren.In the foreground is Lindsay's car, Beverley. Beverley and Lindsay get Dave and myself to and from Camelot Clinic every day. Thank you Beverley.They have made this stage of the journey a little easier and all the more memorable.To our lovely, helpful friends in Tulsa, Oklahoma, who have been so kind as to help us with this stage of Dave's treatment. Thank you.

Due to a snow storm we spent all of Christmas Day indoors with our Tulsa friend, Lindsay. The six and half inches of snow actually made national news. We later found out they had closed the whole state and had advised people to stay indoors. Which wasn't a bad idea, seeing as it was well below freezing outside...Merry Christmas!

Here is a little sneak peak at few of the clinic crusaders during mid treatment conversation... just a group a friendly people thinking outside of the cancer treatment box.Sean, far right, makes regular posts on his experiences at Camelot Cancer Care. Check out Seans Cancer Journey for his daily updates.

Without knowing how things are going with progress of treatment we're just hanging in there, hoping for the best and taking on all the good vibes coming our way. They say healing comes in stages, at this stage we're putting our confidence in the DMSO protocol used at Camelot.

Overall it's a tough journey, and some of the decisions cancer patients and their families make are difficult, to say the least. However the decision to live is one that remains true during this whole process. It brings an energy and will that's indescribable. They include moments like the one in the photo below. Where by being in an environment with like-minded people with similar life experiences and more importantly... 'A love of life and a super human will to live' is something special.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

How are things in Australia,We're currently in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Dave is at day 5 of a 20 day treatment at Camelot Cancer Care. The place actually has a medieval theme to it. It's kinda weird but it actually makes sense. Camelot: the place associated with glittering romance and optimism. Its a genuine trait of the people and the place. And to have dedicated, friendly, caring people look after Dave is even more reassuring. It's the sort of care and attention you don't really get at your regular medical facility.

Aside from the decor the assurance is granted in the positive results and experience they have had with treating cancer patients... especially brain cancers. They combine treatments that will be most effective for his condition. More importantly the treatments they offer are aimed specifically at stopping and breaking down the cancer. It's a real crusade against cancer, against the politics involved in cancer treatment, and a crusade against our traditional notions of healing and medicine. They do this under continuous scrutiny from government bodies that consider Camelot a threat to business and a threat to modern medicine. However, being here, we know for sure that this is the new path for modern medicine.

We're here and we're going to do as much as we possibly can do make this work. A crusade: a campaign against cancer that goes against the dominating forces of conventional cancer care.

So rest assured crusaders, we will prevail!

For keen contributors, we need as much help as possible for the next stage of this crusade which will take place at Valley Cancer Institute mid January.

Monday, December 14, 2009

Dave is truly humbled and grateful to everyone that has helped get him to this stage of the journey. Your help has been and continues to be phenomenal. He sends his love and gratitude to everyone who has helped him.

Thank you

Sunday... Dave and myself safely landed in the U.S.A but not without a few close calls with immigration. And we're booked to see the doctors at Valley Cancer Institute first thing Monday.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

"May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome and dangerous leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds."Edward AbbeyQuote used by PolyMVA survivor Mark Olsztyn. Mark had a very similar condition as David's and is doing extremely well. Thank you.Mark Olsztyn.

Monday, December 7, 2009

David is well and strong. He's been making good progress, keeping pro-active and positive in a zenned out kind of way. He's walking a whole lot more, is clear of mind and is determined to overcome this. This attitude definitely rubs off and helps in keeping the healing flow focused and consistent.The next stage of this process is making it to clinics in the U.S.A. And being well enough to travel means we've been able to confirm a departure date and thus be able to initiate treatment. We leave for the U.S.A on Sunday the 13th of December, to be received by the specialists at Valley Cancer Institute and Camelot Cancer Care. The contributions and the continuing support shall not go unrecognized... and to all the efforts that continue to make realizing Dave's goals ever so attainable, THANK YOU!

So a grand personal thank you from David and the Montoya family.

mucho lovebrotherdaniel and family

For those interested I came across some recent news articles on Hyperthermia therapy advocacy in Australia. It's reassuring to see that there is a push for hyperthermia to be introduced into Australia. So we're going to do what we can to support Jenny Barlow. Accessing treatments such as hyperthermia, which is less toxic, is proven, and is most effective when combined with other treatments, should be seriously considered as an option in Australia. Because we should have that option!Here are some links on Hyperthermia advocacy work by Jenny Barlow: radiowavebarlow.com, ManningRiverTimes and NortherDailyReader. For more info on hyperthermia check out Cancer-Decisions.com

Sunday, December 6, 2009

The Raffle to raise money for Dave was drawn on Friday, so congratulations to the winners. I was forwarded an email by Hayleigh at Morrison Media thanking everyone who helped out with the Raffle. I believe all up they helped raise just over $15 thousand. We are extremely grateful and we would like to thank everyone involved in putting this together; those that got out there to sell tickets; and those that bought tickets, all in such a short period of time. And special thanks to Gra, Ash, John, and Hayleigh at Morrison Media.And rest assured the money will be put to good use.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

The Gold Coast Hospital and I nice panorama of Dave in one of the spaces that he called home for the last eight weeks.But as much as I like this photo of Dave in rehab, it was definitely a joyous occasion to finally have him home.much love

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Just to clarify a few points about the creation of Amigos of Dave. Consider it a sort of introduction to an interconnecting spiral of information, friends, organizations, and individuals who generate positive attitudes, and contribute in supporting Dave and his cause.

His cause you ask? well as difficult of a topic as it may seem, trying to understand the magnitude of brain cancer, or any cancer for that manner... knowing a little about the situation is a step in the right direction. I believe knowledge and understanding ease the mind and aid in putting things into perspective. It also helps overcome difficult situations like this one.

In other words, if your a friend of Dave's and you're not exactly sure what to think or say, then check out some of the links. Have a browse, google some terms, ask some questions, share your concerns. Learning is meant to be fun and inspiring right? or at least generate some awareness and eventually some action.

The cause of action changes with everyone. For Dave it has lead him to an almighty Everest of a challenge... that of HEALING and being cancer free. As many of you may know this continues to be Dave's mission. He is constantly learning and applying himself to HEALING.

At the moment Dave is entering a stage in his life which requires as much support and energy as possible. Support which will help him realise his goals of making it to specialist cancer clinics abroad. To clinics that will provide integrative approach to cancer treatment. If you didn't get a chance to buy a raffle ticket but still want to help out you can by donating. Or even better, if you have any ideas on how to raise some money for Dave we're open to suggestions. I hope the Amigos of Dave will facilitate friendly contributions and collaborations. Grand and grateful... daniel

David Montoya

Background:Feb 2008: In early 2008 Dave was diagnosed with a deep brain tumor- Anaplastic Oligoastrocytoma, located in the right lateral ventrical. David had no signs of symptoms or ill health. The discovery of the tumor was brought about by a precautionary scan, taken after a bump to the head caused by fall from his bmx bike.

Mar 2009: Almost immediately he underwent his first surgery. Ever since then, Dave has been striving to become more informed about his condition, improving his health and in seeking treatments that would improve his chances with this disease. He was able to return to work and continue to pursue his passions.

Aug 2009: Saw the onset of symptoms of tumor growth and was not able to continue to work as his vision and balance were being effected due to the disturbance of the tumor from his first surgery.

Oct 2009: Lacking resources and scared into no other option, David was booked in for a second operation to remove what they could of the tumor.

Nov 2009: This second surgery had also postponed plans for tumor treatment. and due to the location and size of the tumor surgeons could not remove all of it and would now rely on other conventional adjunct thereapies.

David was re-diagnosed with Recurrent Low Grade Oligoastrocytoma and the new growth a Recurrent Low Grade Anaplastic Oligoastroytoma. Furthermore he was also now dealing with post surgery neurological damage which caused partial paralysis to the left side of his body (mainly his foot and some motor skills)

Dec 2009: Not convinced with conventional offerings.

Although most of it was removed, the fact that the tumor had mutated meant that there is a risk of it doing the same again, unless the necessary steps are taken to stop it.

Dec 2009: In between surgeries, David research and resourcing lead him to consider some conventional and non conventional treatments including Low-Dose Radiotherapy with Hyperthermia, and DMSO which are currently not available in Australia. At the moment he’s making good progress and with your help we should be able to realize these goals very soon. Camelot Cancer Care and Valley Cancer Institute are clinics we are aiming for.

Dec 2010: With much support, David was able to reach these goals. While on treatment, they proved effective. Slowing, and at some stages stopping growth while on the treatment. Unfortunately these treatment have their threshold. And it wasn't long before the tumor picked where it left off.

Objectives: To raise a substantial amount of money to help Dave reach his goals. Including travel, treatment and ongoing bills and expenses. As well as to share, teach and learn from ours and others experiences.